Essay Contest
Great Falls Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Essay (3rd Annual)
This year’s theme is “What are the do’s and don’ts of cooking safety and why are they important?”
The essay is open to kids ages 9-13 and must be 500 words or less. Essays are due November 1st.
Essays can be handwritten or typed. We ask that the front page include the author’s name and age, along with the author’s parent or guardian’s name, parent/guardian’s phone number and address. Essays can be emailed to gffr.office@greatfallsmt.net or delivered to Fire Station 1 – 105 9th St So.
First, second and third place winners will be notified after November 1st. Winners will receive gift cards – $100, $50 & $25 along with a plaque. Essay winners and their friends and families will be invited to one of GFFR’s fire stations to attend an award ceremony for their good work. At the ceremony, essay winners will have the opportunity to read their essay aloud, receive their awards and have pictures taken with GFFR staff.
We are excited to see this contest grow each year. Last year we doubled the number of essays submitted from the previous year. We hope to continue that growth and participation this year!
Fire Prevention Education
Over the years, Great Falls Fire Rescue has changed their delivery of Fire Prevention Education which is highlighted during the month of October. In the past we had staff go into the schools and provide Fire Prevention and Safety Skits in a school assembly type format. Though it was always a fun and engaging event, between the impact from COVID-19 and the necessary time from staff to come up with the skits and create props for a successful presentation had to be reassessed.
GFFR has since begun sending an engine company to schools electing to have the crew come do an outdoor presentation to grades K-2. This way crews are close to their apparatus in the event they are dispatched to respond to an emergency incident. This is a great interactive way to introduce our younger school aged kids to the concepts of fire prevention and safety. For the older elementary aged kids, GFFR is offering the Essay Contest.
GFFR has also partnered with Great Falls Public Library to offer an opportunity for daycares and preschools to bring kids by the library. Outside, in the back of the library, we will have an engine company present for kids to look at the apparatus and say hi to our firefighters. Inside we will have staff present to read fire safety books to the kids for story time. This will take place October 26th from 10:30AM-12:30PM
GFFR has also partnered with the City-County Health Department for Fire Station Fridays. Each Friday in October, CCHD will be at a Great Falls Fire Rescue location offering flus shots for those 6 months and older. Those with kids will have the opportunity to meet firefighters and see the fire trucks.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Pregnant women must have a letter from a healthcare provider recommending immunization.
Please be sure to bring your insurance card. Without insurance, flu shots are $40 for a standard dose (<65 years) and $80 for a higher dose (age 65+) — and if you cannot pay, your shot is free!
GFFR Call Volume from October 1 through October 16
Total Calls: 281
Fires – 1
Over Pressure, Explosion, Overheat, No Fire – 1
Rescue & EMS Incidents – 175
Hazardous Conditions – No Fire – 5
Service Calls – 59
Good Intent Calls – 24
False Alarm, False Calls – 13
Special Incident Type – 3
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
